Number 24 by Narelle Stoll is a bush poem honouring Gunnar Sønsteby, a Norwegian resistance hero of the Second World War.
The poem follows his path from the fall of Norway through resistance work, escape routes and sabotage, to the quiet remembrance that followed his death.
Number 24
By Narelle Stoll
On a grey and still afternoon,
I heard the news of Gunnar Sønsteby death.
One more hero of World War 2,
now laid to rest.
When I pause, to reflect on the achievements,
of this shy young man.
My thoughts turn to a street in Oslo,
when on 9th April 1940 it all began.
His hands gripped the handles of his bicycle.
As he stood there, among the chaos and disorder.
As his country’s freedom was swept away,
by marching feet in pursuit of heavy water.
Among the chaos, he heard freedom cry to him,
as she was carried away.
“Do what you can to free me,
from the shackles of these tyrants’ chains.”
At first the situation seemed hopeless,
with threats of arrests and torture.
To those that dared impose
the imposed new order.
But national pride soon prevailed,
and around him began to gather.
Of those who were not prepared to succumb,
to the new ruler’s propaganda.
Under the threat of death he worked,
gathering intelligence for the Milorg resistance.
Like a Chameleon forever changing his looks, his name
and place of residence.
So successful was he in fooling them,
by stealth and deception.
That it was not until the end of the war,
they were able to establish a connection.
He assisted many others with escape,
with many making it to freedom.
Either by the Shetland Bus,
or by border crossing into Sweden.
He also made the same perilous trek,
on many an occasion.
Where he accepted a number of dangerous assignments,
without fear or hesitation.
He made it to Scotland and joined Kompani Linge,
where he was trained in the art of explosives and espionage.
When after parachuting into his homeland,
commenced daring acts of sabotage.
With a group of other young men,
that became known of the Oslo gang.
That struck terror in the minds of the enemy,
and hope in the hearts of his countrymen.
He along with fellow gang members were criticised,
For the murder of innocents.
But you only have to look at the events at Televag,
to get a sense.
That as the theatre of war is played,
innocents are not always spared.
Particularly if the invader has a view,
they should be enslaved.
After five years of agitation
the enemy slowly retreated,
Until on the 8th May 1945,
they were finally defeated.
Honour and medals were bestowed,
and there was much celebration.
But amongst the joy a young man slipped away,
to complete his education.
Ever since then he had maintained,
a vigil for that day,
Until 10th May 2012 when he closed his eyes after keeping watch,
and quietly passed away.
On a clear spring day, a nation farewelled him.
With a fly past salute to the missing man.
As his spirit reunited with his fallen friends,
Edvard Tallaksen and Gregers Gram.
As I gaze at his statue at Solli Plass.
I take the time to reflect.
Of the reason why I am inspired by those
from a foreign land,
and of the deeds of a man I have not met.
I have concluded that it can only be,
That I appreciate the sacrifices made by people like him,
that enable the rest of us to be free.
It is therefore I give a thousand thanks and more,
To the man known as, “Number 24”.
Keeping The Verse Alive
Number 24 is shared with permission from Narelle Stoll through Keeping The Verse Alive, Country Campfire’s bush poetry preservation project.
By preserving poems like this, we’re helping ensure the stories, humour and characters of country Australia continue to be enjoyed for generations to come.
Narelle Stoll
Bush Poet • ABPA Member • CWA NSW Virtual Member
Narelle Stoll is an Australian bush poet raised on a farm at Culcairn in southern New South Wales. An ABPA member and CWA NSW virtual member, her interest in poetry grew through the Illawarra Folk Festival and competitions at Corryong. She is now returning to writing and sharing her work.
Poems, recitals, photographs, stories and original works remain the property of their original creator and are shared by Country Campfire with permission.
